I Needed Some Elbow Room
I haven’t been feeling like much of a superwoman of late. I recently underwent elbow surgery on my left elbow and have been out of commission longer than I thought I would. I have never been one to not be busy doing something and all I’ve been able to do lately is be in the house and feel helpless. I never knew how much I depend on my other arm and now that it’s in a sling for 2 weeks, I am learning fast to depend on others to help me. My husband and oldest daughter have been my biggest helpers. My daughter helps me by preparing dinners and helps me with my hair. My husband should definitely be called a superman, because that is exactly what he is. He’s such a wonderful support for me.
Did I ever tell you how stubborn I am…ok, well I’m a little stubborn.
It’s when the swelling started to prohibit me from closing my left hand, is when I decided it was time to take the prescribed meds from the doctor. I don’t like taking medicine when I don’t have to. We all see the commercials, the side-affects are twice as long as what the medicine cures. So I was pretty adamant about not taking them, but we all know there comes a time when you have to bite the bullet (in this case the pill).
So i’m on the road to recovery, taking my medicine and getting better every day. I look forward to having my left arm back so it doesn’t take me one hour to write another blog!
The Gloves Are On! My Fight Against HBP
I discovered I have prehypertension (blood preasure levels between 120/80 – 139/89) while getting my wisdom teeth extracted about 4 years ago. Since then, I have been placed on medicine to keep the preasure under control which has worked, however my goal is the fight HBP by living a healthier lifestyle.
Per the American Heart Association, 1 out of 3 adults have high blood preasure and only 81% are aware they have it.
To fight against high blood preasure, I am choosing to:
Eat Better
Adding more grains, fish and nuts to my diet. I’ve cut soda (for the most part) out of my diet. I also eliminated a lot of the process foods – especially in my lunch menu (like Lean Cusine, Healthy Choice) that are very high in sodium. I’m a lover of anything salty and sweet, so keeping my hands away from the chips and the jelly beans and peanuts has been a struggle. I’ve found other snacks that taste just as good but won’t send my preasure up. It’s when you know you can’t have something or as much of it that makes you want it more.
Excerise
Another way I’m fighting against hypertension is dropping some poundage. I started a Zumba class once a week and added walking to my weekly regemin. My husband and I are walking together which makes it much easier because we hold each other accountable.
Reduce My Stress Levels
I’m a work in progress when it comes to learning what to do with my stress when it comes (not if it comes, but when it comes). Prayer and meditation on God’s word has been what keeps me. Also taking time to be still – sitting in my backyard in the mornings when it’s quiet helps me alot.
To learn more about HBP visit: www.heart.org
Recent Comments